Plan International Proposes New “Period Pants” Emoji to Help Break The Taboo Of Menstruation

Recently, we’ve seen new emoji released in order to increase the representation of women in the language that has become an important means of communication for millions of people around the world.

In addition to careers and activities, emoji is also playing its part in undoing taboos. A breastfeeding emoji was just announced and now Plan International, a UK girls’ rights organization has proposed a “period pants” emoji “to help break the taboo of menstruation.”

The winning “period pants” design was selected from a campaign that Plan International launched in May to “breakdown the stigma surrounding periods and make it easier for girls and women to talk about their period with friends, family and colleagues.”

More than 55,000 people voted for their favorite design, which also included a sanitary pad, a monthly calendar, period blood droplets and a uterus.

“We know that there are still taboos around periods and that can have a damaging impact on the lives of girls around the world. Many missing school because they face bullying or unfair treatment, or experiencing infections due to a lack of menstrual hygiene education and products,” said Lucy Russell, Plan International UK Girls Rights Campaign Manager, in a press release. “We’re not saying that an emoji would solve all of these problems, but it will start a conversation, and raise awareness of the challenges women and girls face worldwide – and that can only be a good thing.”

Plan International will submit a proposal to the Unicode Consortium, the non-profit body that oversees the creation of new emojis. asking them to add the “period pants” to emoji keyboards worldwide. Stay tuned!

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